SA 500: Theory and Philosophy of Student Affairs
Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education
Department Name
Course Syllabus
Spring 1, 2022
PROFESSOR INFORMATION
Professor: Celeste A. Wheat, Ph.D.
Email Address: cwheat@uwa.edu
Phone | Fax Number: 205 – 652 – 5418 | 205 – 652 – 3706
Office Location: Lyon Hall, B 117
Virtual Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Thursdays
11a.m.- 1p.m. (Virtual)
COURSE DETAILS
Course Description:
An overview of the major educational theories, philosophical
approaches, and models of service utilized in the field of Student
Affairs in higher education
Credit Hours:
3
Prerequisites and Course Standards: None
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS
Required textbook(s):
Patton, L.D., Renn, K. A., Guido, F.M., & Quaye, S.T. (2016). Student development in college: Theory,
research, and practice (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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ISBN: 978-1-118-82181-7
Other Required and/or Recommended Resource(s):
American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
*Writing Style Formatting: APA Format: Where applicable, the use of APA 6th edition is
required.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (CO’s)/ STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLO’s)/ STANDARDS
SA 500
Theory and Philosophy of Student Affairs
COURSE OBJECTIVES (CO’s)
Objective
Narrative
Number
SA500.1
Understand the nature and uses of college student development
theory, philosophy, and research.
SA500.2
Explain the key content associated with specific college student
development theories.
SA500.3
Provide a critical evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of
various college student development theories.
SA500.4
Communicate the characteristics of current college students and
the major developmental issues they face.
SA500.5
Identify and articulate the developmental processes involved with
various social identity categories (i.e., race, ethnicity, multiracial,
gender, and sexual orientation).
SA500.6
Understand how to apply college student development theory to
enhance student learning and professional practice. (i.e., theory-topractice approaches).
SA500.7
Acquire a greater self-awareness of one’s own cognitive and social
identity development to inform future professional practice.
SA500.8
Develop a professional philosophy of college student development,
based on theoretical knowledge of student development theory, to
serve as the foundation of one’s own future practices and
dispositions in the student affairs profession.
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Student
Learning
Outcomes
(SLOs)
This course in aligned with the 2016 CACREP Standards SECTION 5: ENTRY-LEVEL SPECIALTY
AREAS
SECTION 5: E.
1. FOUNDATIONS b. student development theories relevant to student learning and personal,
career, and identity development.
3. PRACTICE b. strategies to assist individuals in higher education settings with personal/social
development .
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FRAMEWORK & DISPOSITIONS
College of Education Framework*
The College of Education at UWA instills an overall framework which encompasses the overall
vision, mission, and student learning outcomes of the college. The framework provides a visual
graphic that indicates the empowered practitioner at the center.
College of Education Dispositions Assessment*
Within the College of Education at UWA, all students are assessed after each course (online or
on-campus) on several dispositions that the student (undergraduate and graduate) displays
during the term of the course. This assessment is completed by the course instructor.
*Please visit the Course Resources tab in Blackboard to review the College of Education’s
Framework and Dispositions Rubric.
START HERE GUIDE
It is vital you review the information provided on the Start Here link, located on the Course
Menu in your Blackboard course shell. This link will include such information relating to the
course navigation structure, expectations, online netiquette, online testing and assignment
rules, academic integrity and copyright disclaimer. This course is delivered via Blackboard, the
University’s learning management system. Before beginning work in any course, you should
thoroughly explore the course. When you are ready to begin work in the course, click the Start
Here Guide link on the Course Menu. This module contains introductory activities that must be
reviewed so that you are acclimated to the course layout and expectations.
ONLINE SYSTEM AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Access the Student Technology webpage to retrieve the information needed for TigerCard,
UWA Help Desk, Internet Policy, email policy and guidelines, and specifications for computer
purchases. All coursework must be submitted on Blackboard, which is the learning
management system utilized by UWA. Please review the Minimum Recommended
Specifications for Computer Purchases webpage before ordering equipment and/or software.
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This course requires a high-speed Internet connection. You must have speakers installed and
working properly on your computer before beginning the course. Some courses may require
the use of a webcam. Participation in an online course requires some basic knowledge of
computer technology. You are expected to have a backup plan in the event your computer has
operational problems, you lose electricity, or you lose Internet access. These factors are not an
excuse for late or incomplete submission of assignments nor are they acceptable reasons for an
assignment deadline extension. Most public libraries, school libraries, university libraries, etc.,
have computers with Internet access and are available for use by the public.
REQUIRED TECHNOLOGY AND/OR SOFTWARE
Technical Requirements: To be able to participate fully in assignments and exams; you must
have:
Reliable and speedy Internet access. This course requires you have reliable Internet access and
fast connection speed, as you will be taking online tests. High-speed Internet connection is
required, but a wired connection is preferred, especially while taking tests.
Computer competency. You must be very comfortable with: using email & discussion boards;
uploading and downloading documents; and accessing resources such as search engines &
websites (e.g., Google, etc.).
Blackboard Learning Management System: Access to the Blackboard Learning Management
System. Login with the Blackboard username and password credentials. UWA is a single signon campus. The same username and password are used for every portal. If this information is
lost, access the UWA My Account website and select Current Students, and Need an Account
under the Technology heading.
Microsoft Office 365: UWA professors, staff, and students now have FREE access to Microsoft
Office 365. It’s FREE and can be installed on up to five devices, including your home computer:
● Windows and Mac laptops and computers
● iOS, Android and Windows tablets and phones
SafeAssign: UWA is committed to helping students uphold the ethical standards of academic
integrity in all areas of study. Students agree that their enrollment in this course allows the
professor the right to use electronic devices to help prevent plagiarism. All course materials are
subject to submission to Blackboard’s SafeAssign feature and will be included as source
documents in Safe Assign’s restricted access database solely for the purpose of detecting
plagiarism in such documents.
TurnItIn: The University of West Alabama reserves the right to use electronic means to detect
and help prevent plagiarism. Students agree that by taking this course all course documents
are subject to submission to the Assignments tool using the integrated TurnItIn feature in
Blackboard. All materials submitted and checked using TurnItIn.com will become source
documents in TurnItIn’s restricted access database solely for the purpose of detecting
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plagiarism in such documents. Students may be required by the professor to individually
submit course documents electronically to TurnItIn.
PROFESSOR EXPECTATIONS
Pending the occurrence of an extenuating circumstance, students may expect to receive a
response to e-mail within 24 hours during Monday-Friday. Assignments are generally graded
within one week of submission. Once all grading of an assignment is completed, the instructor
will notify the class.
COURSE EVALUATION
For each of the activities listed below, be sure to follow the deadlines provided on the Course
Schedule, which is linked on the Course Menu in Blackboard. Missed activities penalties, along
with other policies are listed under the Course Policy section of this syllabus.
Title of Assignment
Discussion Board Activities
Assessed CO’s Assessed SLO’s
2,4
5:51b
Midterm Exam
1-4,6
5:51b/5:53b
Case Study Assignment
2,4-6
5:51b
1-2,4-8
5:51b/5:53b
1-4,6
5:51b/5:53b
Professional Philosophy of College
Student Development
Final Exam
Assignments:
All assignments are project-based and will be graded according to the
grading rubrics provided for each assignment.

DISCUSSION BOARD ACTIVITIES (5 @ 70 points each=350 points) – There are 5
discussion board activities, which are designed to enrich each student’s engagement
with the assigned readings, stimulate critical thinking, and foster a sense of community.
An online discussion forum is a “technological cognitive tool” that stimulates cognitive
learning and critical thinking. Students engaged with course content in forums engage
with other students in a generative processing of information. Thus, these activities
require class participation and participation is built into the grade for each of these
activities.

CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT (100): The instructor will assign each student a case study to
read and evaluate based upon the case study scenarios contained in the Appendix of
your textbook beginning on page 411. This assignment will allow the student to apply
his/her learning and knowledge of student development theory to a real-life scenario. As
part of this assignment, students will address the discussion questions that follow his/her
assigned case study. More details on this assignment will be presented at a later date.
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
PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY OF COLLEGE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT (100): The goal of
this paper is for students to develop a professional philosophy of college student
development, based on theoretical knowledge of student development theory, to serve
as the foundation of one’s own future practices and dispositions in the student affairs
profession. In this paper students will reflect on how 1 to 2 of the college student
development theories covered throughout the term have helped them to acquire a
greater self-awareness of one’s own cognitive and social identity development to inform
future professional practice. Then, students will expound on which of the theories
covered in the course will serve to have the greatest influence on their future practices
and dispositions as a student affairs professional/practitioner. Further details on this
assignment will be made available at a later date.

ASSESSMENTS/EXAMS: In this course, students will complete a MIDTERM (225) and
FINAL EXAM (225) to assess their understanding of and ability to apply student
development theory. Students will be provided more details in the “Assessments” menu
tab in Blackboard concerning exam expectations. Exams will be conducted via
Blackboard. The Course Schedule found on the course menu will indicate when exams
will be given.
GRADING INFORMATION
See the Course Schedule, which is linked on the Course Menu in Blackboard, for a list of module
topics, assignments, and due dates. Please refer to the UWA Academic Calendar for university
important deadline dates. [Instructor choose their method of grading]
Title of Assignment
Assessed CO’s Assessed SLO’s
Possible
Points
Grade
Percentage
350
35%
1-2,4-6
5:51b/5:53b
Midterm Exam
225
22.5%
1-4,6
5:51b/5:53b
Case Study Assignment
100
10%
2,4-6
5:51b
Professional Philosophy of College
Student Development
100
10%
1-2,4-8
5:51b/5:53b
Final Exam
225
22.5%
1-4,6
5:51b/5:53b
Total
1000
100%
Discussion Board Activities
(5 at 70 points each)
COURSE GRADING ALLOCATION
Final grades will be assigned as follows:
Point Values
1000-900
Percentages
90-100%
Grade
A
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899-800
799-700
699-600
599 and below
89-80%
79-70%
69-60%
59% and below
B
C
D
F
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Technical Resources
Sign on to Blackboard using your UWA username and password. There will be a course titled
“Technical Resources for Online Students” in your course listing. Click the link to open the
course.
Technical Support
UWA HelpDesk
If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please create a support ticket at using the UWA
HelpDesk link and a technician will contact you to provide assistance. Visit the UWA HelpDesk
webpage to find out how to receive technology support and what technology services are
available to you.
Email Communications
UWA Outlook Email: You must use your UWA email account for any and all email
communication with me. I will not open student email coming from any other email
account. You are expected to check your UWA email account every day.
Library Services
The University of West Alabama is dedicated to providing the best education possible, whether
on campus or through distance education. The Julia Tutwiler Library is pleased to offer books
and articles through Interlibrary Loan (ILL), as well as access to online databases to online
students. You can access the Julia Tutwiler Library at the Julia Tutwiler Library webpage and/or
the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) as a resource for writing using certain style guides, as
instructed by your professor.
Student Success Center
The University of West Alabama provides various resources to students, if needed. Refer to
Counseling Services and or Career Services to obtain options that are available for student
success.
UWA Online Programs Resources
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The UWA Division of Online Programs webpage provides links to useful information regarding
your online program. Students may reference Textbook Information for Online Courses
webpage to order online textbooks. Reference the Academic Calendar webpage to familiarize
yourself with academic deadlines for each term. The Frequently ASked Questions webpage may
also prove to be useful.
Disability Services Office
The University of West Alabama strives to make its programs accessible to qualified persons
defined as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Students who have special needs that require accommodation are responsible
for notifying professors in each course in which they are enrolled and appropriate staff
members, who in turn will refer the student to the ADA Compliance Coordinator. Following
verification of the student’s status, the ADA Compliance Coordinator will work with the
professor or staff member in implementing an appropriate plan for accommodating the
student’s needs. Support documentation of special needs from a physician or other qualified
professional will be required if deemed necessary. For additional information, students should
contact the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Webb Hall 323, (205) 652-3581.
Reasonable accommodations in accordance with ADA (1993) will be made for course
participants whose personal characteristics require specific instructional and testing conditions.
Persons with such requirements must identify themselves to the professor at the beginning of
the course.
Online Counseling Resources
When you enter UWA Blackboard, you will see a course titled “Counseling Resources” in your
course listing. This course provides you with a Writing Center, Math Center, APA Tutorial, Tips
on Being Successful in the Online Environment, and Individual Counseling Services. You may
also visit the UWA Counseling Services online webpage.
ONLINE COURSE POLICIES
Attendance Policy
Your attendance is automatically recorded in the Blackboard. While you enjoy the flexibility of
online class and can participate anytime you would like, please note that active and attentive
participation in the online environment is the only way for you to succeed in this class.
Change Policy
Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the grading statement, the
syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advanced notice.
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Policy on Make-Ups
Please attempt to remain current with readings and assignments. All assignments must be
submitted in Blackboard within their designated locations by the deadlines as outlined in the
Course Schedule in order to qualify for maximum credit.
Assignments: At the professor’s discretion, assignments received after the given deadline,
regardless of excuse, will be subject to an automatic deduction of points per day late (5 points
per day for assignments less than 100 points and 10 points per day for assignments 100 or
more points) or the score of zero for those assignments which are not accepted after their
deadline. If you experience a technical issue when submitting an assignment on Blackboard,
email your assignment to me before the deadline so I know that you completed it on time.
Then, enter a support ticket at the UWA HelpDesk link and submit the assignment on
Blackboard as soon as your problem is resolved. You will not receive a grade in Blackboard
unless you submit the assignment in Blackboard. Once the deadline has passed, Discussion
Board Activities cannot be made up because these assignments require participation.
Assessments: Exams will not be reopened after their due date except for verified technical
issues. Assessments must be completed within the designated time windows (see Course
Schedule). You will be reminded about an upcoming assessment on the Course Schedule and
detailed instructions will be provided on the Assessments link on the Course Menu for each
assessment.
Extensions: Requests for extensions must be made in writing, via an email to your professor, in
advance of deadlines and accompanied by appropriate written documentation (such as proof
of hospitalization) if the excuse is to be acceptable to the professor. Computer problems,
placing an assignment in an incorrect location, forgetting an assignment and/or not having the
textbook are not acceptable excuses.
No assignment will be accepted after the last day of the term unless the student qualifies for an
Incomplete Grade, has submitted the necessary paperwork requesting an Incomplete Grade,
and has been approved by the professor for an Incomplete Grade. Travel and/or work-related
activities do not qualify for late submissions of assignments or grades of “Incomplete.”
A regular and consistent pattern of course participation is an expectation of the online learning
experience for professors and learners. The student bears the responsibility for submitting all
assignments on time and in accordance with the course syllabus. The professor is in no way
obligated to accept or consider any late student work.
UWA ONLINE INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES
Students in this course should be familiar with the university policies on Academic
Responsibility contained in the Student Handbook. Violations of academic responsibility in this
course will be handled as stipulated in that publication.
For detailed information on the UWA student policies, please review the UWA Online Student
Handbook. These pertinent policies include drop policy, Academic Honor Code, Academic Code
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of Conduct, American with Disabilities Act, Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Electronic
Communication Policy.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to adhere to the strictest standards of academic honesty. Each student
should review the Academic Code of Conduct in its entirety in the UWA Online Student
Handbook. This code strictly prohibits bribery, cheating, lying, and plagiarism. No form of
cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. Such actions will be dealt with in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the UWA University catalog. It is therefore suggested that you obtain
this document and read it carefully.
Students are bound by and responsible for knowing the information contained in the policies set forth in
the UWA General Catalogue under “Academic Integrity.”
The university policy concerning academic integrity will be strictly enforced. In no instances will lack of
familiarity with these policies excuse a violation. Procedures for dealing with academic dishonesty and
consequences may range from a reprimand and opportunity to rewrite an assignment, a reduced grade,
a ‘0” or “F” being awarded for the assignment, a ‘0” or “F” being awarded for the class, and
recommendation for dismissal from the program, suspension, or expulsion from the university.
Plagiarism. Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and it is defined as the unacknowledged use of others’ work.
More specifically, any written or oral presentation in which the writer or speaker does not distinguish
clearly between original and borrowed material constitutes plagiarism. Because students, as scholars,
must make frequent use of the concepts and facts developed by other scholars, plagiarism is not the
mere use of another’s facts and ideas. However, it is plagiarism when students present the work of
other scholars as if it were their own. Plagiarism is committed in a number of ways:
1. Reproducing another author’s writing as if it were one’s own.
2. Paraphrasing another author’s work without citing the original.
3. Borrowing from another author’s ideas, even though those ideas are reworded, without giving credit.
4. Copying another author’s organization without giving credit.
Self- Plagiarism: All assignments in this course should consist of new, original work intended to fulfill the
requirements of this course. Submitting your own work that was completed for another graded
assignment in this course or in another course is considered self-plagiarism. Thus, any work previously
submitted in another graded assignment in this course or for a grade in another class may NOT be
submitted in a grade in this course. It is not fair to give students credit twice for the same assignment.
If an assignment is determined to be from another graded assignment in this course or from another
course previously completed, the student will receive a zero on the current submission.
Plagiarism is a serious offense. An act of plagiarism may lead to a failing grade on the paper and in the
course, as well as sanctions (e.g., suspension, etc.) that may be imposed by the UWA Academic Integrity
Committee.
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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
Materials associated with this course are subject to copyright laws and protections. These
materials are intended for the viewing of only those students enrolled in this course and only
for the time during which they are enrolled. The contents of this course are not to be copied
and shared. Because instructional materials on the course website may be copyrighted,
students may not download materials on the course website to their desktops, laptops, or
PDAs, or alter or distribute any materials on the course site, unless clearly directed to do so.
COVID-19 Syllabus Statement: safety procedures during the pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty, staff, and students will be required to take necessary
safety precautions to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. The following procedures are
required for the duration of the pandemic and may be updated as circumstances require:
 Staying at home or self-isolating. When you are sick with any known symptoms of
COVID-19 or encounter someone known or suspected to have or have been exposed to
COVID-19, you are advised to contact your health care provider and are not allowed to
come to class until you meet the return to campus guidelines provided for in the
University’s Operational Plan for Fall Semester 2020. Please contact your instructor
through email or phone as soon as possible. Your instructor will work with you to provide
any content or materials in an alternate format, so you should not fear missing valuable
information. Knowingly attending classes or participating in university functions following
a possible exposure, after the onset of suspected symptoms, or while awaiting test
results will result in potential disciplinary action.
 Practicing hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Frequent hand washing with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use of hand sanitizer that contains at least
70% alcohol is highly recommended. Cover your coughs and sneezes.
 Wearing facial coverings. All faculty, staff, and students must wear facial coverings in
classrooms, labs, shared office spaces, during on-campus gatherings, and in any other
setting on campus when social distancing is difficult to maintain. In the classroom
setting, faculty, at their discretion, may require students to wear facial coverings at all
times during class regardless of whether social distancing is achievable. Review the
proper way to wear, remove, and wash your facial covering. Video tutorials are
available.
 Social distancing. Academic departments have rearranged schedules and physical
spaces to maintain, so far as possible, workable and safe social-distancing
arrangements.
 Cleaning and disinfecting learning spaces between use. To minimize sharing of high
touch surfaces, students will be assigned specific seating, lab equipment, and
computers when feasible. Faculty and students will have ample opportunity to wipe
down/disinfect their workspace before and after each class.
 Scheduling virtual meetings between faculty and students. While faculty members will
maintain their regularly scheduled office hours, they will also work with you to conduct
these office hour meetings via telephone or teleconference. If a virtual meeting is neither
possible nor desired, other arrangements, such as meeting outside or in a large space,
will be made.
Please note that due to the ever-changing nature of COVID-19, the course schedule is
subject to change. Should university officials need to suspend campus operations for
any reasons, and if said closures affect scheduled class meetings and/or assignment
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due dates, the course will proceed through alternate means. In such circumstances,
your instructor will contact you through email with instructions for how to proceed.
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